by Hengameh Shahrouzi
What makes humankind optimistic?
Even a seed faces despair and delight during the process of developing to a plant.
I am a retired yoga teacher. I used to practically explain the answer to the essential question of how to live a happy and positive life while facing despair and delight. Is it possible?
The purpose of yoga is to teach us how to look and concentrate on our life glass half full and to develop our hearts and minds in the most positive manner.
On the spiritual side, presence in the present moment through relevant practices makes our lives more effective and our heart and mind more productive even during severe times.
On the logical side, the Renaissance made humankind's soul optimistic forever.
The influence of the Renaissance's optimism on human culture and the state of art was not limited to the period of the 17th to 20th centuries. The same glorious effect will last through the 21st century and beyond.
As a contemporary example, thousands of loved ones have died from infection with COVID-19. On the other hand, the shutdowns have made notable and desirable yet temporary changes to our planet.
Its consequences will make even more long-lasting, sophisticated and meaningful developments to our human ways of evaluating contemporary life and future progress.
According to an Iranian 20th-century poet, it's:
Time to wash your eyes thoroughly
Time to observe entirely differently